Ribonucleoproteins package 700 nucleotides of pre-mRNA into a repeating array of regular particles.

An assay for the in vitro assembly of HeLa cell 40S nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (hnRNP particles) has been developed. The substrates were single-stranded nucleic acid polymers of defined length and sequence prepared in vitro and the six major core particle proteins from isolated 40S hnRNP. The fidelity of in vitro assembly was evaluated on various physical parameters, including sedimentation, salt dissociation, polypeptide stoichiometry, UV-activated protein-RNA cross-linking, and overall morphology.

Sodium-dependent pH regulation in active sea urchin sperm.

Extracellular sodium ion is required for activation of motility and respiration in sea urchin sperm when semen is diluted in seawater. We have investigated the role of sodium ion in maintenance of sperm activity. Active sperm lose activity on transfer to sodium-free artificial seawater and can be reactivated with external Na+.